Skip directly to site content Skip directly to search


Español  Other Languages


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four seven. Saving Lives, Protecting People
 Search
		×
			Vaccines site
			Vaccines site
				All CDC
				Submit
			For a full list of topics:A-Z Index
			Advanced Search
		Advanced Search


Provider Resources for Vaccine Conversations with Parents


Section Navigation
			
			CDC Home








Foster Support for Vaccination in Your Practice						Print
																Related Pages
										Patients and parents can feel more confident about vaccinating when everyone in the practice shares the same message. From the front desk to the exam room to checkout, everyone plays an important role in supporting vaccination. Adopt these best practices to ensure you never miss an opportunity to vaccinate.1. Make patients and parents aware of your immunization policyIllustration of person at front desk talking to two people.When you ensure every patient and parent that visits your practice is aware of your immunization policy, you lay the foundation for effective vaccination recommendations.
Discuss your policy during each patient’s first visit.
Share your policy on your practice’s website.
Include a copy of your policy in new parent packets.
Post your policy in the waiting room.2. Make vaccine resources easy to findIllustration of person in waiting room.Making immunization information readily available saves time by helping patients and parents get their questions answered before they meet with you.
Include the immunization schedule and other handouts in new patient packets.
Provide age-appropriate vaccine educational materials and display posters in the waiting room.
Provide appropriate Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) at every vaccine visit, as required by law.
Syndicate CDC web content on your website.
Post a web button on your website that links to CDC’s vaccine website for parents.
Customize your electronic medical records to include information like dot-phrases that can easily be printed and given to parents.3. Review each patient’s vaccination status and prepare them to receive vaccinesIllustration of doctor and patient talking.By assessing vaccination status at every visit, you can avoid missed opportunities to vaccinate and reinforce that vaccinations are important.
Set up a reminder and recall system to prompt clinical staff and let patients and parents know when vaccines are due or when patents miss doses.
Before each visit, determine which vaccines are due by checking the patient’s immunization history using the state’s immunization information system and your practice’s electronic medical records (EMR) system.
At sign in, remind patients and parents which vaccines are due.
Ask parents and patients to complete a screening form or checklist for contraindications and precautions while they’re in the waiting room.Illustration on how to support vaccination in different areas of a practice.Infographic PosterDisplay an illustrated poster to remind staff how they can support vaccination.
Download Printable 8.5×11” [1 page]
Download Printable 11×17” [1 page]4. Make effective recommendationsIllustration of doctor examining patient.Research has shown an effective recommendation from a healthcare professional is the main reason parents decide to vaccinate.
Start childhood vaccine conversations early by reviewing the immunization schedule with pregnant women and parents of young infants.
Review the screening checklist and patient records to determine which vaccines can be administered.
Start each vaccine conversation with a presumptive statement, assuming patients and parents will vaccination and explaining which vaccines are due.
Recommend vaccines from your position as a trusted expert.5. Answer questions and address concernsIllustration of doctor and two people.Patients and parents are likely to have questions, even if they already plan to vaccinate. By welcoming and answering questions, you help patients and parents feel supported.
If a patient or parent is hesitant, talk to them about their specific concerns.
Listen to any questions from patients and parents and answer them clearly and patiently.
Share your own experiences, explaining why you chose vaccination for yourself or your children.
If a patient or parent refuses vaccines, explain the implications of refusing or delaying vaccines and discuss a plan to continue the conversation during future appointments.6. Implement procedures and policies that help staff support vaccinationIllustration of healthcare worker.Effective administrative procedures, clear policies, and useful training programs equip your staff to support vaccination and work efficiently.
Designate primary and alternative vaccine coordinators to oversee vaccine management in your practice.
Obtain vaccine storage equipment and vaccine administration supplier as needed.
Notify the vaccine coordinator immediately when a vaccine delivery arrives.
Keep up to date on CDC immunization recommendations and schedules, published every February and periodically updated throughout the year.
Make immunization schedules and other clinical resources readily available to all staff.
Integrate comprehensive, competency-based vaccine training into existing staff education programs, such as new staff orientation.
Put policies and procedures in place to ensure vaccines are stored, prepared, and administered correctly.
Implement standing orders that authorize trained staff to assess immunization status and administer vaccines.7. Schedule upcoming vaccinations before the patient leaves the officeIllustration of two people talking.Checkout is a key opportunity to reinforce the importance of vaccination and plan for upcoming vaccines.
Let the patient or parent know which vaccines will be due at the next appointment.
Schedule a follow-up appointment before the patient or parent leaves the practice.
Ensure this appointment falls within the recommended timeframe of the CDC schedule.
If a patient or parent defers scheduling for any reason, offer to call them a few days later.
Reinforce the importance of completing the vaccine series.
Offer educational materials to take home and review.8. Remind patients and parents about upcoming vaccination appointments and missed appointmentsIllustration of person on a laptop.Ongoing communication is essential in making sure patients stay on schedule with vaccinations.
Make calls, send texts, send emails, or mail postcards to remind patients and parents about the importance of vaccination and note upcoming appointments.
If a patient or parent comes in for a sick visit, remind them about upcoming vaccines.
If a patient misses an appointment, call to follow up and remind them about the importance of vaccines.Resources for Educating PatientsGet resources for educating patients and parents about the importance of on-time vaccination.#HowIRecommend Video SeriesGet tips from your peers on how to make effective vaccine recommendations and answer common questions.Top of Page
							
					
							Last Reviewed:  November 2, 2020						Source: 	National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
					Facebook
        Twitter
        LinkedIn
        Syndicate homeConversations Home
Talking to Parents about Vaccinesplus icon
Talking with Parents about Vaccines for Infants
Preparing for Questions Parents May Ask about Vaccines
Understanding Vaccines and Vaccine Safety
About Vaccine Conversations with Parents
Foster Support for Vaccination in Your Practice Vaccines & ImmunizationsImmunization SchedulesNational Infant Immunization Educational ResourcesFor Parents: Vaccines for Your Children


About CDC
					Contact Us
					800-232-4636
 Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Youtube Pinterest Snapchat
 CONTACT CDC
				Contact Us
							Call 800-232-4636
							Email Us
			ABOUT CDC
				About CDC
							Jobs
							Funding
			POLICIES
				Accessibility
							External Links
							Privacy
							Policies
							No Fear Act
							FOIA
							OIG
							Nondiscrimination
							Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			CONNECT WITH US
				Facebook
								Twitter
								Instagram
								LinkedIn
							Youtube
								Pinterest
								Snapchat
								Email
			LANGUAGES
				Español
							繁體中文
							Tiếng Việt
							한국어
							Tagalog
							Русский
							العربية
							Kreyòl Ayisyen
							Français
							Polski
							Português
							Italiano
							Deutsch
							日本語
							فارسی
							English


U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
			Accessibility
			External Links
			Privacy
			Policies
			No Fear Act
			FOIA
			Nondiscrimination
			OIG
			Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			USA.gov


Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy Close
 Links with this icon  indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
				Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
				You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
				CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Website Disclaimers
 Cancel Continue